DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Localized prostate cancer: T2a-T3a OR T1b or T1c with PSA at least 10 ng/mL OR T1b or T1c with Gleason score 7-10 No T3b or T4; positive biopsy of nodal excision N0, or any N with bilateral removal and the estimated risk of nodal invasion is at least 10% M0 (by bone scintograph and chest x-ray) PSA less than 50 ng/mL